Bath Rugby stars get England call

Four Bath Rugby players were today named in the England Senior Elite Player Squad announced by Head Coach Stuart Lancaster.

George Ford joins David Attwood, Kyle Eastmond and David Wilson in the EPS for the first time, whilst there is a notable call-up to the RBS 6 Nations squad for Anthony Watson.

Ford represents the single change to Lancaster’s elite squad, following a strong debut season for Bath. He replaces Leicester Tigers’ Toby Flood in the mid-season squad revision under the Rugby Football Union’s agreement with Premiership Rugby Ltd.

“I am delighted for George, who is rewarded for his form for Bath and we are excited about including him in the Senior Elite Player Squad,” said Lancaster, who added that it was important to allow Ford to progress in the absence of Flood.

“We have kept changes to a minimum because we believe that this squad can take us forward into 2015 and we are hopeful that some of those injured may be available before the end of the Six Nations and certainly for the New Zealand tour.”

Bath are also represented throughout the various England squads named today. Alongside Watson in the RBS 6 Nations squad is Rob Webber, while Nathan Catt and Jonathan Joseph feature in the England Saxons EPS. Academy players Tom Ellis, Charlie Ewels and Tom Woolstencroft all take their places in the England Under-20s EPS.

Ford’s promotion is accompanied by a call-up for Watson, who along with seven other England Saxons will join the RBS 6 Nations training squad at Pennyhill Park on Monday, January 20 as injury replacements for players who will remain in the Senior EPS.